bookwyrm_kate's review
3.0
I thought this was a really interesting book, especially for a first-time author. I enjoyed the world, the slight variations on history, and the mixture of steampunk with magic...which is funny because steampunk is usually so science/technology based. I have a hard time rating it, because it's not one of the best books I've read, but I did enjoy it. 3.5 maybe? It felt like it had the potential to be a much longer book with a lot more back-story, but perhaps because it was a first time novel, it was edited down. I thought it was an incredibly visual story, and I'd love to see it as a movie!
krish_'s review
3.0
So steampunk, huh?
I've heard there are better examples of the sub-genre than MK Hobson's The Native Star but as its my first time venturing into the unknown, I suppose its better I am gently eased into it, rather than thrown right in. The idea of steampunk never really interested me. I think I developed quite an aversion to it actually. I like old school magic, and the concept of merging that with innovative gadgetry was just a turn off.
But I liked it, relatively speaking. The plot is straight forward enough. The details within this plot, however, is confusing. There are a lot of information; many technical terms wrapped up in those typically convoluted scientific diction that I gave up halfway through trying to smooth it all out in my head. The trouble is that the actual content didn't attract me as much as the characters did. Meaning I didn't really care where the heck the book was going as long as Emily and Stanton were there (which isn't really a good sign, is it?). Speaking of Emily and Stanton, they are hilarious and were the reason I kept reading. Stanton's manly pats on the back to maneuver out of intimate moments consequently pacifying any sexual energy sizzling between the two is laugh out loud funny. He is so awkward you can't help but like him little by little despite his overt obnoxiousness. Emily surprisingly shined just a tad dimmer but I admire her guts and outspoken temperament. It got a little melodramatic near the end but hey.
The writing, though, is excellent. This is quite an undertaking for a debut novel, in my opinion, and Hobson does an impressive job.But then again, I'm a virgin of this genre so my opinion is nil and void. But still a thumbs up from this steampunk newbie. Good read for anyone who wants to have an adventure.
I don't usually do this but I want to make it clear: 3.5
I've heard there are better examples of the sub-genre than MK Hobson's The Native Star but as its my first time venturing into the unknown, I suppose its better I am gently eased into it, rather than thrown right in. The idea of steampunk never really interested me. I think I developed quite an aversion to it actually. I like old school magic, and the concept of merging that with innovative gadgetry was just a turn off.
But I liked it, relatively speaking. The plot is straight forward enough. The details within this plot, however, is confusing. There are a lot of information; many technical terms wrapped up in those typically convoluted scientific diction that I gave up halfway through trying to smooth it all out in my head. The trouble is that the actual content didn't attract me as much as the characters did. Meaning I didn't really care where the heck the book was going as long as Emily and Stanton were there (which isn't really a good sign, is it?). Speaking of Emily and Stanton, they are hilarious and were the reason I kept reading. Stanton's manly pats on the back to maneuver out of intimate moments consequently pacifying any sexual energy sizzling between the two is laugh out loud funny. He is so awkward you can't help but like him little by little despite his overt obnoxiousness. Emily surprisingly shined just a tad dimmer but I admire her guts and outspoken temperament. It got a little melodramatic near the end
Spoiler
especially with the marriage proposal, like woah, hasn't it been only a couple of months?The writing, though, is excellent. This is quite an undertaking for a debut novel, in my opinion, and Hobson does an impressive job.
I don't usually do this but I want to make it clear: 3.5
booknookghost's review
5.0
Orginally at http://yabooknook.tumblr.com/post/51035671689/book-recommendation-the-native-star
Sooo THE NATIVE STAR is not YA. what but this is a ya blog water u doin stop
Yeah, I know. But, it’s such a fantastic read I just had to recommend it—and it reads like young adult!
Ok, so I read THE NATIVE STAR a good 3-4 years ago. I read while at Disney World. Just that alone should tell you how awesome I thought it was, if it distracted me from Mickey-shaped ice-cream and going to see The Festival of the Lion King a thousand and thirty seven times. That good.
It follows Emily, who is a witch and fiery and dances naked under trees (only sometimes). I just cannot tell you how much I love Emily and how awesome she is. She does not let crap stand in her way; she’s strong and sensible and one of my very favorite female characters. She’s also paired up in this journey with one of my favorite male characters i think it’s safe to say this is favorite all over: Dreadnought Stanton.
Oh holy smokes.
Dreadnought, my sweet baby child hot man. Here you have a character I would truly want to meet and marry. He’s so loyal and flawed and amazing and Emily hates him so much at the beginning of the book. Hell, I hated him as well, but he just kind of grows on you—like a vine or a weed. Emily and Dreadnought together were just unf. They complemented each other and challenged each other and I’m sorry I have to go deal with these feels.
I’m rambling about characters because this book is just a jewel in that aspect. Not to say that everything else is not awesome as well. It is. The world is rich and builds around you, with magic and history and science. I think it’s technically termed gaspunk? I may be making that up. A softer stempunk, maybe. I don’t really care. Whatever M. K. Hobson did here wasfantastic and I’m so glad it has a sequel and a second series and yes, please give me all the books.
THE NATIVE STAR made me a fan of M. K. Hobson’s writing forever, basically. More people should read these books. Now.
Sooo THE NATIVE STAR is not YA. what but this is a ya blog water u doin stop
Yeah, I know. But, it’s such a fantastic read I just had to recommend it—and it reads like young adult!
Ok, so I read THE NATIVE STAR a good 3-4 years ago. I read while at Disney World. Just that alone should tell you how awesome I thought it was, if it distracted me from Mickey-shaped ice-cream and going to see The Festival of the Lion King a thousand and thirty seven times. That good.
It follows Emily, who is a witch and fiery and dances naked under trees (only sometimes). I just cannot tell you how much I love Emily and how awesome she is. She does not let crap stand in her way; she’s strong and sensible and one of my very favorite female characters. She’s also paired up in this journey with one of my favorite male characters i think it’s safe to say this is favorite all over: Dreadnought Stanton.
Oh holy smokes.
Dreadnought, my sweet baby child hot man. Here you have a character I would truly want to meet and marry. He’s so loyal and flawed and amazing and Emily hates him so much at the beginning of the book. Hell, I hated him as well, but he just kind of grows on you—like a vine or a weed. Emily and Dreadnought together were just unf. They complemented each other and challenged each other and I’m sorry I have to go deal with these feels.
I’m rambling about characters because this book is just a jewel in that aspect. Not to say that everything else is not awesome as well. It is. The world is rich and builds around you, with magic and history and science. I think it’s technically termed gaspunk? I may be making that up. A softer stempunk, maybe. I don’t really care. Whatever M. K. Hobson did here wasfantastic and I’m so glad it has a sequel and a second series and yes, please give me all the books.
THE NATIVE STAR made me a fan of M. K. Hobson’s writing forever, basically. More people should read these books. Now.
kblincoln's review
5.0
I'd just finished reading Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century novel, Dreadnought, when I got The Native Star in the mail.
So pardon the comparisons. (and I've also read the more romancey/fantasy Iron Duke by Meljean Brooks and the Parasol Protectorate from Gail Carriger, as well as the more YA Thirteenth Child, so Native Star is in good company.)
I expected Native Star to rehash familiar territory, and in a way, what with the wild west plus monsters and the alternate technological development it does. But the three types of magic Hobson develops in this book; sangrimancy (blood), animancy (kind of shamanistic or organic) and credomancy (faith) takes this book out of the "rehash" and into exploring new horizons territory.
Don't get me wrong, you get excitement galore as Emily and her credomantic friend Dreadnought Stanton race time and across the US evading evil sorcerors, mutated wildlife, and the anti-magic ku klux klan to find out why a magic stone has embedded itself in Emily's hand before it explodes in Black Exunge and changes the world forever.
There's battles around trains (much like Dreadnought) and magic battles and understated romance-against-their-wills, and all kinds of interesting tidbits of this world.
And unlike Dreadnought's Mercy, I became truly fond of Emily and attached to the relationship between her and Stanton.
However, where the true enjoyment of this world lies is not just in the flashy "isn't this a cool idea about a mail-order patent charm business" or "watch the hero battle mutated, slavering jackrabbits" kind of thing, but in the way the layers of this world are revealed and impact Emily's decisions about what is right and wrong and who she wants to be.
I love that.
However, if it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would have. I rounded up because I think this book deserves at 5 more than a 4, but I was a bit disatisfied with the way a big bad enemy is handled (hemacolludinations) without much explanationor fanfare or pain on the part of the heroine. I wanted consequences for the heroine of dealing with this person that don't come until well after she'd taken most of the fight out of him. (and I also wanted to know how she knew the one word that would sunder him).
So despite a little unsatisfaction with a major conflict resolution, I am still a whole-hearted fan of the world portrayed in Native Star, and will keep an eye on when the next book comes out.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Ordering Lasagna at a favorite restaurant to find out they've changed their recipe and it now features organic roasted tomato sauce and wild mushrooms that provide an extra layer of deliciousness and innovation to each savory bite.
So pardon the comparisons. (and I've also read the more romancey/fantasy Iron Duke by Meljean Brooks and the Parasol Protectorate from Gail Carriger, as well as the more YA Thirteenth Child, so Native Star is in good company.)
I expected Native Star to rehash familiar territory, and in a way, what with the wild west plus monsters and the alternate technological development it does. But the three types of magic Hobson develops in this book; sangrimancy (blood), animancy (kind of shamanistic or organic) and credomancy (faith) takes this book out of the "rehash" and into exploring new horizons territory.
Don't get me wrong, you get excitement galore as Emily and her credomantic friend Dreadnought Stanton race time and across the US evading evil sorcerors, mutated wildlife, and the anti-magic ku klux klan to find out why a magic stone has embedded itself in Emily's hand before it explodes in Black Exunge and changes the world forever.
There's battles around trains (much like Dreadnought) and magic battles and understated romance-against-their-wills, and all kinds of interesting tidbits of this world.
And unlike Dreadnought's Mercy, I became truly fond of Emily and attached to the relationship between her and Stanton.
However, where the true enjoyment of this world lies is not just in the flashy "isn't this a cool idea about a mail-order patent charm business" or "watch the hero battle mutated, slavering jackrabbits" kind of thing, but in the way the layers of this world are revealed and impact Emily's decisions about what is right and wrong and who she wants to be.
I love that.
However, if it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would have. I rounded up because I think this book deserves at 5 more than a 4, but I was a bit disatisfied with the way a big bad enemy is handled (hemacolludinations) without much explanationor fanfare or pain on the part of the heroine. I wanted consequences for the heroine of dealing with this person that don't come until well after she'd taken most of the fight out of him. (and I also wanted to know how she knew the one word that would sunder him).
So despite a little unsatisfaction with a major conflict resolution, I am still a whole-hearted fan of the world portrayed in Native Star, and will keep an eye on when the next book comes out.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Ordering Lasagna at a favorite restaurant to find out they've changed their recipe and it now features organic roasted tomato sauce and wild mushrooms that provide an extra layer of deliciousness and innovation to each savory bite.
mferrante83's review
3.0
As I’ve said in the past I’m a bit of a sucker for tales of the “weird west.” So it shouldn’t much of a surprise to note that I picked up and listened to the audiobook version of M. K. Hobson’s The Native Star. Set in Reconstruction Era America The Native Star,the first in the series of the same, follows small town witch Emily Edwards. The novel opens with Emily, desperate to take care of her mentor and adoptive father, placing a love charm on a local businessman. This desperate act sends Emily on a path that unites her with titular artifact and attaches her to the mannered and formally trained warlock Dreadnaught Stanton. The novel follows Emily and Dreadnaught as they attempt to understand the mystery of the Native Star.
It should come as no small surprise that a novel set in the 19th century and featuring a strong female protagonist focuses a considerable amount of its time on gender politics. From the stigma of a woman traveling alone, to being unmarried in your mid-twenties, to being a witch in a society of warlocks the novel often focuses on the role of gender in 19th century society. Mostly this takes the form of everyone male assuming they are more competent to decide Emily’s fate than Emily is. This is rather infuriating as a reader and just slightly less infuriating for Emily. The primary vector for much of this ballyhooing regarding the fairer sex is Dreadnaught Stanton. Though couched in the guide of gentility and good-manners Dreadnaught’s decision making in the novel does not often take Emily’s perspective into view.
Dreadnaught isn’t a particularly likeable character (despite the badass name). The romance between Emily and Dreadnaught is telegraphed from the beginning but never felt that real to me and as a result was not all that interesting compared to the rest of the story. In fact one of my favorite parts of the novel is when Emily, disguised as a man, befriends a fellow (female) traveler on the train. There was some genuine humor in Emily’s attempts to play the male role and the break from Dreadnaught’s constant overbearing “I know best” attitude was a welcome change. Thankfully the forthright and outspoken Emily is an entertaining and interesting character in her own right. She is very much the independent frontier woman, used to the hardships of life outside the city, yet still naïve about the world at large.
Hobson gives the feeling that she has created a whole mythology (or borrowed bits of real mythology for her world). The action is focused on the lives and experiences of the characters but gives hints (and sometimes more than hints) that there is more going on beneath the surface of her world. She raises a number of questions over the course of the novel regarding the nature of magic in the world, the type of made-up theorizing that fantasy geeks (well most fantasy geeks) live for. Unfortunately, and it is rare that I say something like this, I felt that the focus of the character distracted me from a rather interesting world. In particular the romance between Dreadnaught and Emily was rather less interesting to me than the intricacies of the world that Hobson created.
I really loved the finale of the novel. It’s only problem is that reveal comes a bit too late. There are some fascinating implications there and it evokes a wonderful weird science vibe but I would have loved to have seen those aspects more than just touched on over the course of the novel. I also would have liked to learn a little more about Emily’s past; something that is hinted at over the course of the novel but a topic the is quickly veered away from whenever we came close to any answers. The Native Star is a consistently entertaining novel despite its flaws. The magic is entertaining and the world is vibrant and it never ceases to engage the imagination; even it when it tries your patience. If you’re looking for an entertaining read with a faint steampunk vibe and well-realized setting than you should definitely give The Native Star a try.
It should come as no small surprise that a novel set in the 19th century and featuring a strong female protagonist focuses a considerable amount of its time on gender politics. From the stigma of a woman traveling alone, to being unmarried in your mid-twenties, to being a witch in a society of warlocks the novel often focuses on the role of gender in 19th century society. Mostly this takes the form of everyone male assuming they are more competent to decide Emily’s fate than Emily is. This is rather infuriating as a reader and just slightly less infuriating for Emily. The primary vector for much of this ballyhooing regarding the fairer sex is Dreadnaught Stanton. Though couched in the guide of gentility and good-manners Dreadnaught’s decision making in the novel does not often take Emily’s perspective into view.
Dreadnaught isn’t a particularly likeable character (despite the badass name). The romance between Emily and Dreadnaught is telegraphed from the beginning but never felt that real to me and as a result was not all that interesting compared to the rest of the story. In fact one of my favorite parts of the novel is when Emily, disguised as a man, befriends a fellow (female) traveler on the train. There was some genuine humor in Emily’s attempts to play the male role and the break from Dreadnaught’s constant overbearing “I know best” attitude was a welcome change. Thankfully the forthright and outspoken Emily is an entertaining and interesting character in her own right. She is very much the independent frontier woman, used to the hardships of life outside the city, yet still naïve about the world at large.
Hobson gives the feeling that she has created a whole mythology (or borrowed bits of real mythology for her world). The action is focused on the lives and experiences of the characters but gives hints (and sometimes more than hints) that there is more going on beneath the surface of her world. She raises a number of questions over the course of the novel regarding the nature of magic in the world, the type of made-up theorizing that fantasy geeks (well most fantasy geeks) live for. Unfortunately, and it is rare that I say something like this, I felt that the focus of the character distracted me from a rather interesting world. In particular the romance between Dreadnaught and Emily was rather less interesting to me than the intricacies of the world that Hobson created.
I really loved the finale of the novel. It’s only problem is that reveal comes a bit too late. There are some fascinating implications there and it evokes a wonderful weird science vibe but I would have loved to have seen those aspects more than just touched on over the course of the novel. I also would have liked to learn a little more about Emily’s past; something that is hinted at over the course of the novel but a topic the is quickly veered away from whenever we came close to any answers. The Native Star is a consistently entertaining novel despite its flaws. The magic is entertaining and the world is vibrant and it never ceases to engage the imagination; even it when it tries your patience. If you’re looking for an entertaining read with a faint steampunk vibe and well-realized setting than you should definitely give The Native Star a try.
texaswolfman's review
3.0
Solid story. Too much damsel in distress for the main character, but good story.
siria's review
4.0
This is a really fun, diverting novel. The premise—nineteenth century steampunk/magic-inflected alternate America, where witches and wizards are a (mostly) accepted part of society—could have become over done and hokey very easily, but Hobson keeps things subtle and fast-paced enough that it never becomes too arch. I'm not sure that I quite bought the main romantic relationship, though I found the main female character, Emily, to be neatly drawn and engaging—independent and strong-willed, but capable of making mistakes and not Feisty. (I have come to hate that term.) There are a few places where it's more apparent that this is a first novel—some info dumps; some place where there are deus ex machina things that aren't quite explained properly—and I really didn't like that the Native American characters in this novel show up only in order to be of service to the white folks. Sigh. Still, if Hobson can work out these flaws and build on the promise shown here, I'll be sure to check out the sequel to this.
ria_mhrj's review
3.0
I remember rolling my eyes when I read the name "Dreadnought Stanton" on the blurb of this book. My mind automatically generated a hulking alpha male ready to save the day, so it was a pleasant to meet a more unusual, pedantic beanpole of a hero. I really enjoyed the relationship between Emily and Dreadnought, the action was thrilling and the world's magic and rules were very carefully thought out. This book lost a fourth star from me because I got a bit annoyed with the ending, but otherwise I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
corbear's review
4.0
Normally I am not a fan of magic in books, since most of it just seems nonsensical to me. What this book does a pretty good job of, though, is laying out the ground rules for how the magic works in this universe, and it even delves into the source of it all, which reminded me a bit of the Xanth novel [b:The Source of Magic|15447|The Source of Magic (Xanth, #2)|Piers Anthony|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179544290s/15447.jpg|2553145]. Pretty neat. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
iffer's review
3.0
Even though I don't generally enjoy historical fiction and/or steampunk retelling, but I enjoyed the general setup and promise of the magic system. However, the book ended up feeling bland, both in story and characters. I also never felt or believed in the love story.